Local young campaigners staged a picket at Old Trafford on Saturday morning to expose the of part-owner Jim Ratcliffe. They also called for a fairer tax system that works for everyone.

The picket featured props themed around Ratcliffe’s “billionaire shopping list”, drawing attention to his stake in Manchester United, his INEOS chemical empire, and his luxury assets

The protestors say this is all whilst ordinary families in Manchester and across the UK struggle to afford basics.

Protestors outside Old Trafford | Green New Deal Rising

placeholder image — Protestors outside Old Trafford | Green New Deal Rising

The action-takers, part of the wider youth-led campaign Green New Deal Rising, are demanding the government fairly tax billionaires like Ratcliffe to fund schools, hospitals, affordable homes and climate action — and to avoid cuts like those the government proposed to disability benefits like PIP.

The action is one of dozens happening across the UK over the weekend of July 4th, the anniversary of Labour’s election victory, as young people demand that Keir Starmer’s government delivers real change.

In London, protesters staged a demonstration inside and outside of Reform UK's headquarters, depicting Nigel Farage "rolling out the red carpet" for the super-rich while the rest of society suffers.

Jacob Sanderson, a young person who joined the PAY UP action in Manchester, said: “While people across Greater Manchester are struggling with rent, rampant energy bills and under-resourced NHS services, Jim Ratcliffe is hoarding billions. This is about solutions beyond the same austerity measures we’ve seen rupture public services and UK communities. If Ratcliffe can afford football club ownership, superyachts and offshore tax avoidance- the Government can make him pay his share. His wealth is hard to fully picture- it would take an average UK nurse nearly half a billion years to earn- and could buy a 200k flat for everyone in a sold out Old Trafford- with over £2bn left over.”

The group are calling for a range of tax reforms, including a 2% tax on individuals with assets in excess of £10 million, the closure of tax loopholes, cracking down on tax havens, equalising capital gains tax with income tax rates and ending bailouts for big polluters.